Vietnam moves to curb HIV/AIDS infection rate

“Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise” has been selected by the UN for World AIDS Day 2006 (December 1). Dr Nguyen Thanh Long, deputy head of the HIV/AIDS Control Department under the Ministry of Health talked about Vietnam’s commitments and future actions against the lethal disease in a recent interview with the media.

Reporters: What are your opinions on the HIV infection rate in Vietnam in recent years?
Mr Long: In recent years, many HIV/AIDS prevention programmes have been launched, including communications campaigns, helping raise public awareness about the danger of the lethal disease and preventative measures. As a result, the rate has increased more slowly than previous years.

Reporters: What types of treatment for HIV/AIDS patients are available in Vietnam?
Mr Long: We have two types, of which level 1 is being applied across the country with three types of drug. The treatment is widely used around the world for HIV/AIDS patients.

Reporters: What about the results?
Mr Long: Initial reports show that the treatment has shown encouraging results since it was put into practice in 2005. There were no signs of infectious symptoms, patients put on weight and their life improved significantly.

Reporters: How expensive is the treatment?
Mr Long: It depends on the kinds of drugs. On average, it costs US$250/patient/year if anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) are used. The cost excludes extra expenses. The Ministry of Health has carried out a national programme to provide medical check-ups and drugs for 2,700 HIV/AIDS patients across the country.

Reporters: How much do you think Vietnam needs to treat all HIV/AIDS patients?
Mr Long: According to international estimation, Vietnam needs more than US$500 million to treat approximately 311,000 HIV/AIDS patients in the 2006-2010 period.

Reporters: Could you point out some measures to reduce the number of HIV/AIDS patients in the years to come?

Mr Long: In coming years, the Ministry of Health will actively implement the National Strategy on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control till 2010 and Vision to 2020. There are four vital measures: promoting information dissemination, reducing negative impact, providing assistance and medical care for HIV/AIDS patients, and increasing supervision and assessment capacity. The ministry also asked provinces and cities to map out action plans based on the national strategy.

Particularly, the National Assembly has adopted the Law on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, allowing the implementation of programmes aimed at reducing negative impact, such as educating to change behaviours, using condoms, using sterilised needles and substitution treatment. Currently, the Health Ministry is directing 20 provinces to implement programmes on using condoms and sterilised needles. In general, these programmes are being successfully implemented and they should be implemented more widely. This depends much on the future budget.

Reporters: At present, does Vietnam have enough drugs to treat HIV/AIDS patients?
Mr Long: Of course not. It is estimated that Vietnam can only meet 30 percent of the demand for drugs for HIV/AIDS patients. Our department has launched some consultancy programmes on voluntary and free HIV/AIDS testing nationwide with nearly 200 consultancy offices. Anyone can go to these offices to test for HIV and get information about assistance services in a confidential manner.

Reporters: Do these offices attract people?

Mr Long: Many people come to these offices. About 200 people in HCM City and between 100-120 in Hanoi have tests for HIV at these offices every month.

Reporters: Thank you.

The latest report shows that 55 percent of HIV infections in Vietnam are aged between 20-29. Infections are now reported in all 64 provinces and cities and even in all communes and wards of several provinces. Drug addicts make up 60 percent of the infections. Infections through unsafe sex are also increasing.

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